Chicagoland NE IPAs (2018)

Imperial Oak is still brewing Crank it Hype, and it's really starting to come together. Not quite Corridor/FR/HC level, but I'd put it up there with Hailstorms stuff and some of the Gummies.

 

I actually do the opposite. I try to leave as much of the trub in the bottom on the can as possible.

 

Nice. Not surprising i suppose. That place just knows how to do it

 

Damn it! I just got a 4 pack of this... I’ll just pour out the 4 cans. Thanks for the heads up!

 

I grabbed one too. Hopefully Can Music doesn't lead to music on the can....

 

The household consensus is Can Music > Mellotron. Can Music has the body and mouthfeel, but I'm getting almost no aroma. It has a nice hop bitterness for all the sweetness. It is missing the tropical flavor that you want to hit you over the head. It's way to subtle and lost in the sweetness. I'd take Overhaze ahead of this, but vastly preferred this to the Crushed Velvet...

 

are there any bars that regularly serve Hop Butcher stuff?

What is the best bar to score multiple taps of hazy? (non -brewery)

Is that Eris DDh really good? 9 dollars a glass and I walked out,

I really liked the recent More Brewing Simcoe ddh beer which really had a more balanced, future body to it.

 

My Mello last night was arguably undercarbed. I also found it to be a sweet mess and a downgrade from the 2016 Mellotron. Marz Cans was better but still a sweet hop cocktail (my personal complaint of when there’s so much going on with multiple hops in a NE IPA that you lose the best parts of each hop’s distinctive flavors)

 

Lol, now that you phrase it as "hop cocktail" in retrospect is actually tastes like that syrup from the bottom of the can of fruit cocktail....

 

Honestly, even though Forbidden Root is obviously a brewery, they usually have a few guest hazies on in addition to several of their own.

As for a bar, the usual suspects like Bad Apple, Maria's, Beer Temple, Links, etc. though there is no guarantee that any will have multiple hazies on. The scene just is not to the point that hazy beers are always around on tap, yet, though perhaps someone that goes to bars more often than I do can offer a more detailed take.

 

I am also looking for advice. I love hazy IPAs and haven’t been to Chicago in a while. The scene has changed! I am downtown for the next two days - where are the best spots to go?

 

Here's a good thread to start your planning.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...icagoland-resource-thread-spring-2018.562877/

 

I'll defer to @Jaycase as that is a good resource, but the short answer is breweries are your best bet over bars, which is not convenient but ensures you get what you are looking for.

My personal shortlist: Forbidden Root, Corridor, DryHop, Mikerphone, Noon Whistle, More (many say they have struggled the last few issues), and Half Acre (if you get lucky and they have something hybrid-hazy like Sailor's Kush). Hope I am not forgetting anyone.

Have fun!

 

come on by and we do have cans of Atomic Child left!

 

you know it..

I have Bent River Im a Peach Double Milkshake IPA and Barrel Aged Abduction

 

Yeah, forbidden Foot will be your best bet, as they always have solid guest taps - and they are very close to Bangers & Lace and Links Taproom - 2 of the best beer bars in the city.

 

damn wont be there till next friday

 

3/28 batch of Stratus is great. The pricepoint paired with consistency easily puts it in my top 5 in Chicagoland.

 

the new batch of Stratus that is available is legit incredible. I'd put it up there with the best NE IPAs in the area and probably the best batch of Stratus I have ever had. I hope it stays like this.
Crazy dank aroma, tons of flavor, really thick. I wish I had picked up a second four pack but having been let down previous times I didn't want to risk it. Canning date is 03/28 in case you come across it.

 

We must have been posting at the same time. LOVE this batch.